Three Ft. Hood soldiers have been arrested in an ongoing investigation related to the transporting and harboring of illegal aliens.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced on Thursday that 20-year-old Brandon Troy Robbins, 20-year-old Eric Alexander Rodriguez and 21-year-old Christopher David Wix were indicted. All three were active duty soldiers stationed at Fort Hood. Also indicted was 45-year-old "Gracia," who is an alleged alien smuggler from the Harlingen, Texas, area.
The seven-count indictment was returned Tuesday and fully unsealed today upon the arrests of Rodriguez, Robbins and Wix at Fort Hood. Gracia was arrested on Wednesday in Harlingen. He made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya and was ordered to remain in custody pending a hearing set for Oct. 14. The remaining defendants are expected to make an initial appearance on Friday in federal court. The indictment alleges one count of conspiracy to transport and harbor aliens, and six counts of transporting aliens.
Rodriguez, of Odem, was initially arrested on Sept. 11, 2014, after allegedly trying to smuggle two undocumented aliens pass the immigration checkpoint in Sarita. He made an initial appearance Sept. 17, at which time a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent testified that Rodriguez had arrived at the checkpoint driving a Chevrolet truck dressed in his military uniform. When agents searched the rear seat area of the truck, two undocumented aliens were allegedly found hidden under a bed sheet and military jacket which displayed the name tag of Rodriguez.
The indictment also charges two earlier incidents which allegedly occurred in a similar manner as that of the Sept. 11 attempt involving Rodriguez. Robbins, is charged with transporting two aliens on April 13, 2014, while Wix is charged with transporting two aliens on June 21, 2014. Gracia is alleged to be a member of the smuggling conspiracy and charged with aiding and abetting the three Ft. Hood soldiers in commission of the offenses.
If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.
